Romance of Dragons and Snakes

His right leg pressed against the ground while his left leg stood on its toe as if he was trying to loosen the blood vessels in it.

This was the result of Cheng Shanming’s chest breaking out with Hidden Jin in retaliation. Stabbing into his leg, Wang Chao had felt an uncomfortable feeling in it.

When Wang Chao used his “Flying Horse Treading on Sparrow”, he had borrowed the Jin of Cheng Shanming’s arm to launch upwards. Then, he stamped fiercely down with his second kick onto his opponent’s chest. If it were a regular person, then they would have their chest smashed to bits and their inner organs crushed, resulting in their swan song.

But Cheng Shanming had already reached the Transforming Jin realm with his Baguazhang. His entire body could break out with Hidden Jin from any point, and in both soft and hard amounts. In the face of danger, he could break out without much thought. He was not that far away from the “A feather cannot be added, and a fly cannot alight” stage.

While an expert of martial arts with enough command over Hidden Jin were to be hit with a wooden staff by a regular person, they would be able to defend themselves from harm. But they would not be capable of defending themselves from another practitioner’s strongest leg and fist.

Even Yang Luchan or Dong Haichuan wouldn’t be able to stand their ground and withstand the Hidden Jin reinforced strike of a master without injury.

But in that instant, Cheng Shanming had manipulated his chest muscles to affect the joints and brought his inner organs back an inch before using the Hidden Jin to strengthen his heart, muscles, and bones. In that instant of collision, the Hidden Jin had stabbed into Wang Chao’s leg.

Because their shoes had been reduced to scrap cloth, leaving Wang Chao barefooted and allowing the Hidden Jin easy access.

It hadn’t even been ten minutes since the start of the fight, but danger had been all around as the two men teetered on the line between life and death, providing the ultimate thrilling experience for everyone.

In the final most moment, Wang Chao could have crushed Cheng Shanming’s throat and end his life. But he had recollected his Jin so that it went from hard to soft Jin and leapt off instead.

From this, one could infer that Wang Chao had been holding back so as to spare Cheng Shanming’s heart. That had been half of the reason. The other half had been because Cheng Shanming’s final strike had been especially terrifying. When Cheng Shanming’s palm moved to strike Wang Chao’s leg, it’s power was inhuman. Even if Wang Chao had killed his opponent, he wouldn’t be able to keep his own leg afterwards.

With Cheng Shanming’s palm strength, if it connected, then Wang Chao’s leg would be shattered in the joint. The outer muscles would suffer from necrosis, and the injuries would be totally untreatable. All that was left was amputation and then have a prosthetic limb to replace it.

In the case of that, it would be hard to say whether or not Wang Chao would become like Tieguai Li.

It was not a situation where both sides would lose, so Wang Chao had naturally desired not to exchange his leg for Cheng Shanming’s life and took the risk to show mercy. His retreat was basically the same as being in danger. If Cheng Shanming were to pounce at that moment, then he would gain the upper hand once more.

As long as the master of Baguazhang gained the upper hand, then Wang Chao would for sure be killed within a dozen exchanges.

“His skill at martial arts is more pure than mine. Just now, my fist was one with the universe and reached a never before seen heights. After that barrage where all my talent was brought out, I barely avoided losing the upper hand. If not for sis Chen’s “Rising Wave of the Dragon and Snake”, then I would have lost. This Cheng Shanming is very close to overpassing his ancestor Cheng Tinghua.”

When Wang Chao retreated, he had bet completely on morality.

But clearly, Cheng Shanming had inherited the spirit of Cheng Tinghua’s Martial Way and heroic air. He had not pounced forward and instead moved back.

Combat experience could not be faked. It could only be gained through actual experience.

Experience is an extremely rich way of learning. Aside from real combat, one had to look at the person and see their personality. Opponents with different personalities would choose different ways to deal with their opponent. This was what it meant to have a high quality match between experts.

If it were Xu Zhen, then Wang Chao wouldn’t retreat in this case. Instead, he would try to kill his opponent. If he retreated, then the enemy would make sure to take advantage of the chance and strike back. A counter attack to kill, that was how it worked.

Seeing Wang Chao loosen his muscles and drop all his hostility, Cheng Shanming stood there without moving a muscle. With his eyes, he stared at Wang Chao for the longest time.

Wang Chao was also evening out his Qi so as to loosen the numbness in his left leg. After being struck by the Hidden Jin in Cheng Shanming’s chest, it had been like his leg was struck by lightning. He had practically lost all sense of feeling in his leg, and his opponent’s skill was still far more pure than his. This was leading into a bad situation.

The sudden stop of a fierce battle had caused the entire lounge to go so quiet, a pin dropping could be heard. Between the two masters, Cheng Shanming and Wang Chao, both of them were no longer in their prime state as before.

Both fighters were barefooted and Wang Chao’s entire upper sleeve had been torn off so that his arm could be seen. Cheng Shanming’s clothes was crumpled and his flesh was red from where he had rolled over the glass. Such, his stature right now was similar to that of a beggar.

“Master Cheng, your Baguazhang is far too pure. There should be no need to compete anymore.” Wang Chao spoke, breaking the atmosphere.

Cheng Shanming let out a loud exhale, causing his long black beard to rise and fall. “What a youngster. How spectacular. From the very beginning, my inspiration was not yet at your level, and in the final moment, you had even showed mercy and did not crush my throat. I cannot continue like this, so let us end this match then. You are a friend of Chen Aiyang; because of his injuries, you became his support with a loyal spirit. I have neither grievance nor hatred with you, so there is no need to fight to the death. But Chen Aiyang on the other hand. He has killed my brother in martial arts, how could I let a grudge like this fade into nothing so easily? At the same time, he is injured, I cannot take advantage of him like this. I will wait for when he recovers, and by then we will fight!”

At that moment, Chen Aiyang nodded his head, “Master Cheng, I will accept your challenge at any time. Shall we conclude this competition then??”

With a chuckle, Cheng Shanming looked to Wang Chao, “Youngster, who knows just how much you will improve in another three years?”

With that, Cheng Shanming turned around and left the lounge.

“Mister Cheng, mister Cheng!” As soon as Cheng Shanming left, president Shen Hong of the Chinese Revival Society was flustered and immediately chased after him, unsure of what to do.

He had originally planned to use Cheng Shanming’s anger towards Chen Aiyang to his advantage to fight against the Chenshi Corporation and take back the golden profits of the foreign exchange business. He had even planned it out to take place the following day on a tanker in the oceans. Even if he lost, then he could still resort to another plan in the form of an ambush.

In the end, he was a business who walked the black path and did not adhere to the rules of the Wulin. A secret way of doing business that meant if he did not win, he would assassinate. If he did not assassinate, then he would make use of guns or even an all out battle.

But Chen Libo had been a crafty old fox. Without even knowing it, he had completely ruined Shen Hong’s plans. When Shen Hong brought Cheng Shanming over, it had been so that the two sides could get to know each other first before fighting tomorrow in an official match. But he hadn’t anticipated that Wang Chao would be the second coming of Cheng Yaojin showing up suddenly on the way.

TL Note: Cheng Yaojin showing up along the way means for someone to accidentally ruin a plan or to be a busybody.

Even if it was just Wang Chao, Shen Hong would still find a way. But, Chen Libo had managed to invite the “Prince” of Singapore, Lee Hsien Yang. Lee Hsien Yang’s words and actions had forced Shen Hong with no way to refuting anything.

Lee Hsien Yang was the symbol of the Singaporean government and not some sort of gang or business. In southern Asia, aside from the leaders of the other nations, generals, or navy commanders, not many would be able to get away with not giving him any face.

The Chinese Revival Society had many other businesses other than the foreign transport in Singapore. Thus, they could absolutely not afford to have a falling out with the “Prince”. Lee Hsien Yang’s words would not allow Shen Hong to contradict him.

With this match ending in an inconclusive ending, Shen Hong had been sent into a flurry and didn’t know what to do. Cheng Shanming wasn’t a boxer under the hand of the Chinese Revival Society, so he could not be bossed around either.

“What, did you want me to fight again for the sake of winning a victory?”

Cheng Shanming suddenly spoke out Shen Hong’s intentions with a hard stare that frightened Shen Hong into a cold sweat. Taking several steps back in fear, he watched Cheng Shanming walk out.

“Since today’s match ended in a tie, then there can be no winnings from this match. However, if those who participated are still interested, please do not collect your money yet and wait a month. We will have one more match with the Chinese Revival Society in a month. If you choose to leave your money with me, then I will give interest ten times higher than what a bank would give. If you do not wish to bet anymore and wish to withdraw, I have a gift for you.”

Chen Libo laughed loud and clear almost as if he had just ate his most favourite of food. The face of a man who had just recovered from an illness couldn’t be seen anywhere on his face. Turning to Shen Hong, he spoke, “President Shen, since todays match was inconclusive, shall we bet next month for the permanent right of attribution of the foreign trade? If you don’t wish to bet, then we hope that your Chinese Revival Society will not bring up such an issue like this again. Our Chenshi Corporation and your Huaxing Chamber of Commerce are both major enterprises. In front of all these people and Lee Hsien Yang, I would like to make a genuine conclusion so as to prevent any further trouble and for the stability of the straits.”

“Permanent right of attribution…” Shen Hong spoke with a myriad of emotions. He had came here today with complete confidence and many men in order to cover Chen Libo. Not to be outdone and show weakness, he spoke, “If elder Chen wishes for such, then our Chinese Revival Society will accompany you on that.”

“Great! And your lawyers?” Chen Libo laughed. “Since it’s so lively, let’s have our lawyers draft up a contract right now and have us sign it for next month. In any case, I will have to retire soon. Before I leave, allow me to experience the thrill of life once more. Aside from the permanent right of attribution, why don’t we add onto the money from the last bet. 4 billion RMB, president Shen, what do you say?”

“This old man has gone crazy! But looking at Chen Aiyang, I doubt his wounds will recover completely in a month. I’ll have the lawyers try to fight for more money then.”

Shen Hong’s mind began to quickly do the calculations before finally waving his hand to call out to the people behind him, “I’ll have my lawyers come and draft up an official contract with the Chenshi Corporation then.”

After exiting the lounge, Shen Hong immediately ordered his subordinates, “Did you find Chen Shanming? In the next few days, stalk him from the shadows. Every action, every move, I want it reported to me!”

“President, Cheng Shanming has returned to his hotel for a change of clothes. But this contract next month, shouldn’t we confer with the other board members? I have a feeling that this Chen Libo is up to something suspicious.” An aide spoke.

“I’ve ridden the tiger today, I cannot dismount from it so easily. With so many people there along with Lee Hsien Yang, if I were to show weakness, then it would spread like wildfire. And if that happens, then I won’t be able to work as easily as before. My power within the chamber of commerce would take a great fall as well. But for this competition, Chen Aiyang will definitely not recover in time for it. What is most worrisome is that youth who fought with Cheng Shanming today! Where in the world did the Chenshi Corporation hire such a terrifying master? I don’t believe he’s one of them, but investigate him thoroughly. If nothing of interest pops up, then I want you to get rid of him by tomorrow!”

A malevolent glare appeared in Shen Hong’s eyes.

“But that Cheng Shanming is quite the experienced fighter. To travel thousands of miles to carry out vengeance by his own fists, his mind has a screw loose. We cannot let him go back. Even if we must subdue him by force, we must make him a fighter for us!”

Zhang Guangming had been invited by the Chinese Revival Society and was then killed by Chen Aiyang. When Cheng Shanming heard of the news, he came rushing thousands of miles away all the way from Canada and went to the Chinese Revival Society for information. It had been with great joy that the Chinese Revival Society told him, but he had not been stuck under their management by the end.

Now, Shen Hong had other plans in his heart. He would use force to make sure that Cheng Shanming would stay.

“That Cheng Shanming is quite dangerous.” Just at that moment, the violent winds had temporarily abated as Chen Aiyang spoke to Wang Chao.